SALVATION IS OF THE LORD – JOHN 6:26-40 October 1 & 2, 2016

MAIN IDEA: Aurelius Augustine (354-430), bishop of Hippo (North Africa) gave a familiar quote, “Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee.” If you are born again, born from above, you should know what this means. The problem is that not every way of seeking Him is correct. Man-made religion and human works are not the way to seek God. John’s gospel makes this point repeatedly, and Augustine gives us a good illustration of what true religion looks like. If Jesus does not seek us we will forever be lost.

A contemporary of Augustine was a monk in Britain named Pelagius (died 420AD) who taught that not all men were under the control of sin. He maintained that some had even lived such perfect lives that they were righteous apart from any work of Christ Jesus. Augustine engaged Pelagius in debate somewhat reluctantly, but spoke clearly nonetheless.

• The debate began over a prayer Augustine had written that had this line, “God, command what You will and give what You command.” Augustine was speaking to the necessity of divine grace in order to do what God commands (including saving faith). Pelagius strongly disagreed with this concept saying that man was not in need of divine grace but had the ability to please God apart from His grace. • Pelagius argued that man did not have a sin nature, denied “original sin,” arguing that Adam’s sin was not passed on to all men. Pelagius argued that man’s will was free apart from God’s grace. Yet Scripture describes man as dead in sin – Ephesians 2:1-10. o The Council of Ephesus condemned Pelagianism as heretical in AD431 (although it is still with us in various forms).

Here is the doctrine of prevenient grace or irresistible grace (TULIP acronym). This means that before a person can truly seek after God, God must first of all have sought that person. The Scripture bears this out: Romans 3:10-11; I Corinthians 2:14-16, and of course Romans 9-11.

Before someone can think properly about seeking God, God must first have done a work of enlightenment in that person’s heart by the Holy Spirit (“changed chooser”). We seek because we have been found. We find this truth repeatedly in John’s gospel (as we did in Romans).

John Piper, “Regeneration is all of God. We do not get God to do it by trusting Christ; we trust Christ because He has done it to us already. The theological phrases which are used to designate this doctrine are “prevenient grace” (grace which precedes and enables our faith) or “irresistible grace” (grace which overcomes the resistance of man’s perverted will by transforming his nature) or “effectual calling” (a divine call which not only offers but effects transformation).”

TEXT: John 6:26-40 MEMORY VERSE: John 6:35

SALVATION IS BY GOD’S GRACE ALONE (verses 26-29). It is never salvation by works but always salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9. Verse 29, This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. • Jesus told the woman at the well, “It is the gift of God.” (4:10) • The rich young ruler, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) • On the Day of Pentecost, the Jews asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) • The Philippian jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)

It is not what we can do for God but what God has already done for us. The work of God is to believe on Him whom He has sent.

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE (verses 30-35). Here in verse 35, is the first of seven “I am” statements made by Jesus in John’s gospel.

Jesus makes it clear that He is the bread of life – I am the bread of life. This “bread” should be eaten daily. When we come to Christ, it is not the end but the beginning of a glorious journey and WE NEED THIS BREAD! Sadly, many Christians allow other things to intrude between them and this “daily bread” and the result is that they are spiritually hungry.

THOSE GOD BRINGS, GOD KEEPS (verses 36-40). These things may be difficult for us at first to embrace, but they bring us God’s salvation in clear terms – salvation is of God and not of man. What we are taught is the grace and sovereignty of God in all things; and that includes His salvation. We see man’s inability, but we also see God’s electing and irresistible grace, the free offer of the gospel, and God’s keeping power on behalf of His saints.

MAN’S INABILITY is seen in verse 36 and clearly described by Jesus in verse 44. These did not believe because they could not believe, and Jesus was not surprised by this. Romans 3:10-11

Only those in whom the Holy Spirit has done His irresistible work of the new birth come to Jesus Christ as Savior – “changed chooser.” Verses 36-37 describe this condition and the answer which is the Father’s giving of people to Jesus – only those given to Jesus by the Father come to Jesus.

JESUS KEEPS THOSE GOD BRINGS TO HIM – verses 37-40. This is known as the perseverance of the saints or persevering grace.

• This does not mean Christians are exempt from spiritual danger. Romans 8:35-39 • This does not mean Christians never sin (duh!). Luke 22:32 • This does not mean that those who merely profess Christ without actually being born again are secure. II Peter 1:10

The Bible is loaded with perseverance verses; here are a couple:

• Ezekiel 11:19-20 • John 10:27-30